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History

History

Bachelor of Arts

Degree Type

Major, Minor, Secondary Licensure

Department

Behavioral & Social Sciences (BASS) Department

History revolves and reveals the journeys of human beings – across and through time – be they cultural, political, religious, artistic, technological or philosophical. A degree in history prepares you to thrive in graduate or law school; as a researcher, librarian, archivist; or in careers in business, management, teaching, the humanities and more.

Program Overview

Western History Program

Examine the human experience through the passage of time.

The History program at Western offers you the chance to discover how the past shapes and affects the present and how seemingly unrelated events and forces connect to frame human endeavors. The study of History at Western prepares students to embrace the complexity and ambiguity of the past. You will create historical arguments and examine historical narratives. By learning how memory, stories, commemorations, traditions, restorations and relics are used, students can make sense of the past and garner insight into the future.

Real-world experience in Western’s History programs include field trips to historic sites, museums, national parks and archives. History courses also develop the research and writing skills required in the field and beyond, across a variety of formats and topics.

Western’s History program will help you realize the complexity of human affairs from many perspectives, while preparing you professionally for a variety of meaningful careers.

Learning from the past

As a history student, you’ll build not only historical knowledge but gain critical thinking, reading and writing skills by studying the past through a variety of lenses and considering the impact of historical events locally, nationally and globally.

Program Requirements

At Western, course rotations are crafted to encompass a variety of subject fields for a comprehensive education and versatile degree. For required courses and degree plans, visit the official University Catalog. Below is a general overview of courses at Western Colorado University related to this area of study.

Program Requirements

All standard majors require a minor in a second discipline or a second major.

A minimum of 42 credits is required including the following:

Course List
Code Title Credits
Select two of the following 100 level courses:6
HIST 100
Topics in World History (GT-HI1)
HIST 126
U.S. History to 1865 (GT-HI1)
HIST 127
U.S. History Since 1865 (GT-HI1)
HIST 128
Environmental History of North America (GT-HI1)
Select two of the following courses in regional history:6
HIST 250
History of the Middle East (GT-HI1)
HIST 251
History of Europe (GT-HI1)
HIST 254
History of Africa (GT-HI1)
HIST 260
History of Latin America (GT-HI1)
And the following:
HIST 200Historical Inquiry3
HIST 300History Lab3
HIST 402Engaging the Past3
History Electives 118
Total Credits39
1

No more than six elective credits at 200 level or below.

No more than six credits in independent studies, internships or correspondence courses can be counted toward any History Major.

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
HIST 1XX 100-level HIST (GT-HI1) 3
HWTR 100 First Year Seminar 1
ANTH 107 Introduction to General Anthropology (GT-SS3) 3
ENG 102 Writing and Rhetoric I (GT-CO1) 3
MATH 113 Statistical Thinking (GT-MA1) 3
Gen Ed Social Sciences 3
 Credits16
Spring
HIST 1XX 100-level HIST (GT-HI1) 3
HIST 200 Historical Inquiry 3
ANTH 218 Biological Anthropology (with laboratory) 4
ENG 103 Writing and Rhetoric II (GT-CO2) 3
Gen Ed Arts & Humanities 3
 Credits16
Year Two
Fall
HIST 2XX 200-level regional HIST (GT-HI1) 3
HIST 300 History Lab 3
Elective Minor 3
Gen Ed Natural Sciences w/lab (BIOL 130/BIOL 135 or GEOL 101/GEOL 105 or BIOL 150) 4
Gen Ed Arts & Humanities 3
 Credits16
Spring
HIST 2XX 200-level regional HIST (GT-HI1) 3
HIST 3XX Upper-division history elective 3
Elective Minor 3
Elective Minor 3
Gen Ed Arts & Humanities 3
 Credits15
Year Three
Fall
HIST 3XX Upper-division history elective 3
HIST 3XX Upper-division history elective 3
Elective Minor 3
Elective Minor 3
Elective Elective 3
 Credits15
Spring
HIST 3XX Upper-division history elective 3
HIST 3XX Upper-division history elective 3
Elective Minor 3
Elective Elective 3
Elective Elective 3
 Credits15
Year Four
Fall
Elective Elective (upper-division) 3
Elective Elective (upper-division) 3
Elective Elective (upper-division) 3
Elective Elective 3
HIST 3XX Upper-division history elective 3
 Credits15
Spring
Elective Elective (upper-division) 3
Elective Elective (upper-division) 3
Elective Elective (upper-division) 3
HIST 402 Engaging the Past 3
 Credits12
 Total Credits120

Careers

Take the first steps toward your dream career.

Career preparation is the primary focus of every academic program at Western. Our professors and Office of Career Services will help you identify your strengths, hone your skills, define your goals, and prepare for a fulfilling role in hundreds of professional fields after graduation.

Ready to apply or learn more about Western today?

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Find Your Career

The data is automatically collected by Lightcast, a firm that sources job market data. The statistics illustrate general trends in U.S. careers, but do not precisely represent every job and salary.

Scholarships

Western’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ departmental and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.

Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.

Find your scholarships!

Western’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ departmental and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.

Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.

Find your scholarships!

Alumni Association Future Alumni Scholarship

The Alumni Association Scholarship is a one-time scholarship of $1,000 and is applicable for the student’s junior or senior year at Western.

Any child or grandchild of an alumni is eligible to receive the Future Alumni Scholarship.

  • This is a one-time non-renewable scholarship of $1,000.
  • Only one Future Alumni Scholarship will be awarded per academic year.
  • GPA must be 3.2 or above (college).

Due date has been extended to April 1 for 2023. An Alumni selection committee, appointed by the Alumni Advisory Council, will review applicants and select awardee by June 1.

Apply

Alumni Legacy Scholarship

The Alumni Legacy Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western (incoming freshman or new transfer students are eligible).

Do you have a son or daughter looking at college? Have they considered attending Western? As an alumni, your son, daughter and/or grandchildren are eligible for certain benefits distributed through this scholarship, as follows:

  • This is a one-time scholarship of $1,000.
  • Nominee must be an incoming first-year student or new transfer.
  • The cost of orientation is reduced by half (a $45 value).
  • The admission application fee is waived (a $30 value).
  • GPA must be 2.5 or above (high school or college of transfer).

The applicant must fill out the application form found below. Application forms are accepted year-round. If the applicant meets the GPA guidelines, the scholarship will be awarded.

Apply

Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship

The Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western. This scholarship is not available to midyear transfers or students beginning in the spring semester.

Are you an alumni or employee of Western and know a prospective (or incoming) student who would be a great fit at Western? A recommendation from alumni and employees can support any new student and provide them a $500 scholarship their first year. (Western employees may not recommend a spouse or dependent receiving tuition benefits).

  • Any Western alumni/employee may nominate only one student per academic year to receive the $500 scholarship (distributed $250 per semester).
  • The scholarship is good for the first year only and is non-renewable.
  • The recommended student must be a full-time undergraduate student, attending Western for the first time.

The applicant must fill out the application form found here. The nominating alumni/employee must fill out the application form and submit the required documents by June 1. The recommended student must meet university admissions acceptance standards and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The Presidential Promise is guaranteed to students who have received a scholarship through the Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) and/or GearUp—and are eligible for a Pell Grant.

For students who meet these criteria, Western will cover the cost of tuition and fees through the combination of federal, state and institutional aid. For more information on the Presidential Promise, visit our scholarships page.

Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) or Central Plains (CP) tuition represents a substantial savings relative to normal, out-of-state tuition. Students eligible for the WUE or CP program will be charged 150% of Western’s total in-state tuition. For 2018-19, total in-state tuition was $8,934. WUE/CP tuition was $13,401. The WUE/CP discount is valued at $4,695.

For more information about the WUE and CP geography-based programs, visit Western’s Tuition Discount Programs Page.

Immediately upon acceptance at Western, every student is considered for a merit scholarship worth between $2,500-$4,500 per year for in-state students and $8,000-$10,000 for out-of-state students. The amount is based on the student’s GPA and ACT/SAT scores. Visit our Net Price Calculator at western.edu/cost to determine whether you qualify for a merit scholarship.

For more information about merit scholarships at Western, visit our scholarships page.

Get Involved

History

Expand your network and apply your knowledge.

There are so many ways that you can maximize your educational experience in the History program at Western. Take advantage of these opportunities to grow personally and professionally.

  • Field Experience: Students travel to historical locations, such as the Sand Creek Massacre and Bent’s Old Fort National Historical sites to study the role of commemoration and memory. They also visit local and state museums such as History Colorado.
  • History Honor Society: Join Iota Nu Chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, one of Western’s oldest academic honor societies.
  • History League: Sponsors student activities including movie nights, Ancient Games, and historical field trips.
  • Internships: Land an internship with a local museum or in your home city or state.
  • Study Abroad: Travel to India, Ecuador, Prague, London, Italy or Belize through Extended Studies and earn History credit towards your degree through an independent study or transfer credit.

Historical perspectives

History students better understand the past and are prepared for the challenges raised by the present both for themselves and their communities. Gaining historical perspective is central to active citizenship.

News & Research

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Western Earns Accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission

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Western Students Team Up to Create Digital Walking Tour

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Art History’s Unique Final Exam

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Public history students

Public History Students in the Field

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Spotlight: Ashley O’Hara, Alumna

Spotlight: Ashley O’Hara, Alumna

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Sarah with her dog

Spotlight: Sarah Bellian, Alumna

Read More about Spotlight: Sarah Bellian, Alumna

Department Chairperson

Heather Thiessen-Reily, Ph.D.

Professor of History

Administrative Assistant

Patricia McCarthy

Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences Administrative Assistant

Campus Location

Western Colorado University
Kelley Hall 240
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231

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